DLP/ DLH and a few questions

[lysady]

Hi all. I'm new to the bored. What a friendly bunch and great posts! Ive been reading through but had a few questions as Ive never been before.

1) We're staying at DLH. Are there any freebies/perks for staying at the hotel? I don't think we'll be staying in the hotel that much due to the days in the park but if there is anything that someone would recommend mentioning Id be appreciative.

I know our package deal included character breakfast and the park tickets.

2) What is tourist tax and if you've prepaid for the hotel, etc do you still pay this additionally and how much? We booked our airfare/hotel/package through Coop Travel and they never mentioned anything about a tourist tax so Im just wondering what/how much it is.

3) DLP/Rides/Pregnancy. At the time of our trip I will be apprx 12 weeks pregnant. Ive never been one for rollercoasters and I imagine rides will be posted about heart conditions/pregnancy/height restrictions but Im wondering in advance if anyone can recommend some - calmer - but still interesting family rides that a pregnant woman and a 5 yr old/8 yr old could go on together.

IE: Is the Pirates of the Carribean ride (Through the blue lagoon) ok to go on? Or Small, Small world? Any others?

I have a feeling I may be doing alot of waiting while DH takes the kids but Im hoping there is something I can participate as well.

4) Restaurant reservations. Where do you ring to book reservations? Im hoping to book at either Lucky Nuggett for the Character Lunch, Cafe Mickey or Blue Lagoon.

5) Autograph books/pens. Ive read where you get them .. Can someone explain how this works? Do the children just approach the dressed chars and ask for an autograph? Is it free?

6) Try to make an itinerary or wing it?
What do most folks do and where do you get the info ie parade times, shows, etc if you did want to plan a bit more the day?

Well that's about it for now. Thanks very much. We're very excited about our trip. Its our first family trip and Im hoping we will all have a blast!

thanks!
Lyssa

 

[tttessa]

Hi Lyssa,

we stayed at the Disneyland hotel last time we went (our first time).

It was quite overwhelming to start with - it seems very grand!! But everyone was great. Everyone spoke excellent English - and indulged our 4 + 5 year olds attempts at French with patience!!

As to your questions, we didn't stay long enough in the hotel to be aware of much round the hotel really - the park is LITERALLY on the doorstep! The characters seem all over the hotel ALL the time !!! Go EARLY or late to breakfast - it does get VERY busy. My kids loved the fried potatoes and beans - but the sausages were very much an acquired taste!! The croissants and pastries were YUMMY!
If you let them take your luggage up to your room - be aware it will not go straight up and can take a long time - so take out anything you need before handing it over!
The rooms are huge and very nice -the toiletries in the bathroom make nice souvenirs and are replenished daily.

2) tourist tax is dealt with by the travel agent - should be included in the bill you paid
3) pregnancy and rides - small world should be fine - I wouldn't do pirate's - a couple of drops... I think you'll be mainly restricted to fantasyland, and the river boat and shows, but someone else may have more info. The studios park has quite a few sit down shows , but not much in the way of gentle rides....
4)Restaurant reservations 0033160 30 40 50
5)Autographs - just go for it.... we found that UK kids queue, no one else does!!! If the character has a hand free hold out a pen and it is usually taken - the characters are really good at making sure the kids get their autograph - so long as it's not too hot and too many kids....
6)Itinery or not? mmmmm - i'd do a bit of both - general plan for who wants to do what, but fit it round the parades etc.... Staying at the disney hotel means you can nip back easily too.

Finally - have fun - it's fantastic there, a really excellent hotel and everyone was so lovely.
Hope you have a great time....
Tessa

 

[wideeyes]

Hi, The Disneyland hotel is really beautiful, obviously the main perk is the location, you also get a better breakfast(more items then HNY), more characters, in the evening housekeeping turn down the sheets and leave chocolate coins on the pillow. you 1 fastpass per Day per person to use on any fastpass attraction.
we found bell service fine, our luggage was sent up to our room as soon as we requested it.

The breakfast is not a character breakfast, it is a character welcome, the characters stay outside the restaurant, so it is a good idea to get there early.

I think that most rides at Fantasy land will be okay, you may want to avoid tea cups though.

They will sell pens, and autograph books at the DLH shop.

we don't do an intereniry anymore, as have been 3x before however if it was my first trip I would make a rough plan of your not to be missed stuff, and take note of times of shows and parades.

 

[Cyrano]

3) DLP/Rides/Pregnancy. At the time of our trip I will be apprx 12 weeks pregnant. Ive never been one for rollercoasters and I imagine rides will be posted about heart conditions/pregnancy/height restrictions but Im wondering in advance if anyone can recommend some - calmer - but still interesting family rides that a pregnant woman and a 5 yr old/8 yr old could go on together.

IE: Is the Pirates of the Carribean ride (Through the blue lagoon) ok to go on? Or Small, Small world? Any others?

I have a feeling I may be doing alot of waiting while DH takes the kids but Im hoping there is something I can participate as well.

You'll be fine. There are plenty of rides to keep all the family entertained. POTC I'd say would be okay. The drops are no more than you'll find on a bumpty road. Phantom manor is fine. Ones that you may want to avoid is Big Thunder Mountain and Star Tours, although the family should enjoy them

Have a look at this although there may not be enough time left to be able to send your 5 and 8 year olds a postcard.

 

[wendybird7]

Hi, your whole family must be so excited - ages 5 and 8 are great ages for going!

I really would not worry about standing around waiting and being bored - the really fantastic thing about DLP is that even when waiting, you can still look in the shops, people watch, just soak up the atmosphere and notice the little details.

There will still be a lot of rides you can go on, I think POTC would be fine, and Phantom Manor has not to be missed. Definitely rule out Big thunder mountain, space mountain, indiana jones and rock n roller coaster, but besides this i'd say it's at your discretion.

As far as planning goes - we have never bothered. You might find it handy to make a list of things you want to do over the time you're there, but the danger of making a plan is that you can't account for wait times and closed rides etc. What may be an idea is to plan your day around the parades and shows, we find doing that means we get lots of rides and things done, plus we're never rushing from one land to another.

Also, don't be afraid of going back to the lovely hotel for a rest during the day - it really refreshes you and you may appreciate your time there if you're rested a bit more!

More than anything, don't worry, you'll have a wonderful time - even if you don't go on ANY rides!